Shirt folding device



Sept. 16, 1952 c. A. CALDER 2,610,771

SHIRT FOLDING DEVICE Filed June 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 90 11. 2%INVENTOR.

i=1- ,z CAESAR A. CALDER BY 112E131 z! m I I 25 ATTORNEY C. A. CALDERSHIRT FOLDING DEVICE Sept. 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1950INVENTOR. CALDER CAESAR 1 ATTORNEY p 2 c. A. CALDER 2,610,771

SHIRT FOLDING DEVICE Filed June 13, 1950 s Sheets-Shut s F5. ED-

4 INVENTOR.

CAESAR A. CALDER ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,610,771 SIHRT FOLDING DEVICE Caesar A. Calder, Verona, N. J.Appiica'tion Juneflli, 1950, Serial-Noig167,748'

- and withoutputting creases in the pockets =01 close to thefront-openingof the shirt. 2With the ordinary shirt folding device -theshirt is folded about-a-shirt board which'extends-lengthwise of theshirt. In other words, whenthe shirt is folded-asheretoforeabout-such.bo'ards, it is longer than it is wide;-and L due'to that fact the creases on the shirt "are'on opposite sides of-andclose to the middle ofthe-shirt. Thisis so, sincethe shirt *board-isabout-8 "in width. The creases on the shirt f oided lengthwise *on theshirt board usually come out where the. pockets are located. This 'is'particularly true inthe ease of sport shirts, -and when such shirt isopened up and worn, the creases can be seen .in thepockets, which isunsightly.

In accordance with the-present invention the shirt folding machine-11sadapted toifold-the shirt wider from sicle to side than fromfront-:torear.

In other words. theshirtis folded about the shirt boardplacedcrosswiseinstead "of lengthwise. The long dimension of the :shirt board is %from'and .ofawhichiithe scope-of invention will beindicatedzin thefollowingclaims:

(.In ithe accompanying,-drawings in which :is shown" variouszillustrative embodiments Of this invention,

I Figure-1' is a topplan view of a. shirt folding nachine embodying theinvention;

5 Fig. 21is. a :side elevational view thereof; .ig. '3:is an oppositeside eievational view-thereof;

Fig. 4 is across-sectional view-taken on line 4-4: of Fig. 1;

Fig.5 is a cross-sectional-vieWtaken .on;line 5-'"'5 oil ng. 1;

:Fig. sis aview similar toEig; 5 but showing the folding .leaf in raisedposition;

Fig. '7 is a-partial side elevational view. of the device showingtheinner and outer rods inclampns positio "Fig. 811s a view similar to Fig.7 butshowing-the position "of ,the apparatus.-when the shirtisclamped,"but;r,aised upj-to permit theshirt .to be removed;

Fig. 9 is -a cross-sectional view. takenon line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig." 10 i819, cross-sectional view taken on line side'to side, whereas.theshort dimension .iszfrom bottom to top. When .the' shirtisfolded'about:

a boardin such conditiomthe. side creasesare way beyond. the pocketsxsothat .there are no creases on thepockets.v

Another object of this invention is to provide a highly improved shirtfolding device which may be applied to existing shirt folding.::.-tab'1es and yet not int'erfere with standard-or previousshirt folding practice.

Still another object of this invention isto provide a highlyimprovedshirt foldi-ng device' of the character d'escribedhaving improved meansto permit the shirt to' be folded wider than under present practice, andwhich willpermiti the (shirt to be readily removed after it is folded.

Yet another object oi -this invention is to provide a" highly improveohstrong, =durable and rugged shirt folding machine. of the -characterdescribed which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture; easy toassemble and manipulate,

and which shall yet be practical-"and=efiicientto a highdegree in use.

Other objects of this invention will 'in' part' be obvious and a in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in thei'eatur es of construction,combination of elements; and arrangementiof -parts,=- which- .-willt.:be'exemplifled -in the' 'constructiomhereinafteridescribed,

/ 11 515 cross-sectional view takenon line H---l I1ofqFig. 1

- Eig.,12--is a cross seotional view taken-on line 1-2 -42 of Fig.5;

Big. 13 isa partial side; elevational view'ofthe device with the handleturned back as shownin Fig. 7;

."Fig. .14 isa cross-sectional view taken on line |4 |4 of Fi 13;

"Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the deviceshowing the shirtto hefolded on the table withthe outer arms: down and the collar of the shirtclamped'to the leaf, and a shirt folding board on the? shirt,.thereby-illustrating-a stepsinthe process of folding the shirt with thedevice embodying the;invention;

Fig. '16" isaperspective view illustrating a .further'step inthefoldingof theshirt;

Fig. l'lis a view. similar to Fig. 16 and illustrat ing a still'furtherstep in the folding of the shirt; rFigi 18 is-atop plan view of thefolded shirt held in foldedposition bya pair of shirt bands;

Fig.*19 is a-viewsimilar to Fig. '18 but, showing the shirt within a.bag; and

Fig. 20 is a side .-=elevationa1 view of a shirt folding'tableprovidedwithshirt'folding appara tus' embodying theipresentzinvention.

Referring now. 'in'edetailsto' thewdrawing'; HI designates; at shirtfolding devicexembodyingithe 1, invention; Thasame comprises-2a.; base:or. table II which may be made of plywood and which may be 24" x 32 orof other suitable dimensions. Attached to the top face of the table IIis a sheet metal supporting plate I2. The plate I2 comprises a rearportion I3 from which extend forwardly a pair of side portions I4 andI5. The rear edge I6 of the plate I2 may be located adjacent the rearedge Ila of the table II. The portion I4 may be wider than the portionI5, said portions I4 and I being spaced apart. The plate I2 may beattached to the board by screws I1 or in any other suitable manner.

Fixed to the top of the plate I2 are a pair of parallel bearing members26. Each bearing member 20 comprises a bottom block 2| and a top block22 screwed thereto and to the plate I2 and table I I, by means of screws23 passing through suitable registering openings 24 in said blocks. Eachpair of blocks may be pinned together by a pin 25. Each pair of blocks2I, 22 are formed with registering notches 2Ia, 22a at their meetingfaces forming bearing openings for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Itwill be noted that one bearing member is on portion I4 and the other onportion I5 of plate I2. They are parallel to one another and inalignment with each other. Bearing openings 2Ia, 22a are coaxial.Extending through said bearing openings 2 Ia, 22a is a tube 26 which isrotatably mounted in horizontal position. The ends of the tube projectbeyond the bearing blocks 20. Fixed to each of the projecting ends ofthe tube 26 is a collar 21. Each collar 21 may be fixed to the tube bymeans of a set screw 28. Welded or screwed or otherwise fixed to eachcollar is an inner clamping arm 29. Each arm 29 comprises an innerportion 30 extending radially from the collar 21, an inclined offsetportion 3I extending from portion 30, and an outer end portion 32parallel to the portion 30. When the portions 32 contact the upper faceof the table II, the portions 30 are disposed in spaced parallelrelationship above the plate I2.

It will now be understood that arms 29 and tube 26 are fixed forrotation together as a unit and constitute an inner clamping memberwhich will be designated by numeral 33. The arms 32 may be swung fromthe down position where the portions 32 contact the base or table I I,upwardly through an angle of somewhat more than 90 so as to be inclinedupwardly and rearwardly. A radial pin 34 fixed to one of the collars 21will serve to retain the inner clamping member 33 in raised position.

Fixed to the table II and disposed between portions I4 and I5 of plateI2 are a pair of hinge members 35. Each hinge member 35 comprises ahinge leaf 36 bolted, screwed or otherwise attached to the table byfastening members 31 and leaves 38 hinged about suitable hinge pins tothe leaves 36. Attached to the leaves 38 is a panel 46. The panel 40 issubstantially rectangular in shape. It is of greater dimension fromfront to rear than sideways. It may be 8" wide and 12", 14" or 16" long.Said panel 46 may be made of sheet metal or other suitable material. Ithas side edges 4|, a front edge 42, and a rear edge 43. The rear edge 43is spaced forwardly of the tube 26.

Fixed to the top of the table or base I I and disposed between thehinges 35 and also between the The panel 40 and the tube 26 is a bracket44. bracket 44 comprises a pair of outwardly extending apertured feet orears 45 contacting the top of the table II and attached thereto by 5| isdisposed below the pintles so.

4 means of screws 46 passing through the apertures. Extending upwardlyfrom the feet are side walls 41 interconnected by a rear transverselycurved wall 48. The side walls 41 are formed with a pair of alignedthrough openings 49 and also with a pair of inwardly extending hollowpintles 56. Extending through the openings 49 is a transverse pin orrivet 5I fixed to the bracket. Pivoted to the pintles 50 is clamp member52 having side walls 53 interconnected by a longitudinally andtransversely curved wall 54. The walls 53 are formed with bearingopenings 55 through which the pintles 56 pass. The clamp member 52 isformed at its rear end with a pair of downwardly extending aperturedears 56 carrying a transverse pin 51. Said clamp member is also formedat its forward end with a pair of downwardly extending apertured ears 56carrying a transverse pin 59. Interconnecting the transverse pin 5I witha lug or prong 66 stamped from the top wall 54 is a coil tension spring6 I.

It will be noted that the transverse rivet pin When the clamp member 52is swung downwardly the spring 6I is on one side of the pintles 50 toretain the clamp member in its down position. This position isillustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing. However, should the clamp memberbe raised to the position shown in Fig. 6, the spring BI is shifted tothe opposite side of the pintles 50, to retain the clamp in the upposition. The clamp is thus maintained either in its down or uppositions. In the up position the wall 54 contacts the upper edge 48a ofwall 46, as shown in Fig. 6

Fixed to the transverse pins 61, 59 is a shirt clamping member 63.Member 63 comprises a member 64 having a portion 65 contacting theundersides of the pins 51, 59, a portion 66 looped about pin 51, aportion 61 parallel to portion 66 and contacting pin 59 and riveted byrivet 66 to portion 65. Extending from portion 61 is an S-shaped hookportion 19 serving as a handle for pulling the clamp member up and down.Riveted between the portions 65 and 61 is a tongue H which extendsforwardly beyond portion 65. It will now be understood that members 63and 52 are fixed together and swing together about the axis of thepintles 50. The tongue 1I overlies the longitudinal mid-portion of thepanel 46 and extends somewhat more than onehalf the length of saidpanel.

'Fixed to one side edge H of the panel, adjacent the rear edge 43 is alatch member 15. Latch member 15 comprises a block 16 formed with a slot11 to receive-an edge portion of the panel 40. The block may be fixed tothe panel 40 by a set screw 16 passing through the opening 19 in theblock 16. The block 16 is formed with a longitudinally drilled opening66 terminating short of the front end of the block. At the front endthere is a reduced opening 6| coaxial with the opening 80. The rear endof the opening 66 is closed by a plug 82. Slidable on the block 16 is alatch member 83 having a head 64 within the opening and a shank 65passing through the opening 8|. The forward end of the stem or reducedportion is beveled upwardly and rearwardly as shown at 66. Interposedbetween the head 64 and the plug 62 is a coil compression spring 81. Thespring 81 thus normally projects the latch member 83 forwardly for thepurpose hereinafter appearing.

Extending through the tube, 26 is a shaft 60.

mman:

Shaft 90 :can; rotate relative toithe tube and-also relative to ther-bearing sblocks "20. I-The outer ends of .the"rod:or shaft-90 projectbeyondzthe Fixed to :the projecting tending radially. of. the 'collar19I:and inclined forwardly and upwardly when said arm is in its downposition, asshown in Fig.2, of thedrawing.

Extending from portion; 9!!v is a.:portion 96 in-.

clinedudownwardly and forwardly ,e :and: extending therefrom .is ap'ortion' fl'l which r-lies.-sub-. stantially flat onthe table'II.Extending from thearm 84 at thejun'c'tion of por'tions 96 and vill is ahorizontally ofiset arm 98 overlapping the, The arm 98'is so positionedthatif the panel 40. panel 40 is in its downposition and the arm94is'swung downwardly, said arm will contact the beveled surface 86 andpush-the'latch' 85 against the spring 81, so as to snapbeneath' thelatch.

Ittwill nowbe llIldE'ISGOOdI-th'fitihiift'90,: collars 9|, 92 and arms'94, 93 together form what may be termed'an outerxclampingmember I00.The. outer clamping member likewise may swing from a horizontalposition, upwardly to a rear-,

wardly and upwardly inclined position, inwhich position the'arm 98contacts one of the arms 28 to limit rearward swinging'movement ofmember I00. It'will be noted-that when both the inner and outer clampingmembers 33 and I are in theirdown position, the arm' '98 is locatedbeneath. the adjacent arm 29,'so'that"if theouterclamp ing member I00were raised; the inner clamping member 33 would be raised therewith, dueto the engagement of arm 98witharm 29.

. Means 'isprovided to'raisethe outer clamping member I00, for thepurpose hereinafter appearing. To this end there .is'flxed to plateportion I4 and to-the table IIabearing member IOI.- Said member IOIcomprises a'botto'm'block' I02; attached toplate portion and to thetable I Iby.

means of screws or bolts I03. The-block I02 is formed at its uppersurface with a transverse semi-cylindrical groove I04. Attached to thetop of block I02 by means of screws I :is a top block I08. The top blockI06 is formed with a groove I01, complementary to the groove I04 andforming therewith a through bearingopening I08. Clamped to the plateportion I4. by the" bearing member IN is a spring member IN. The springmember IIO has a flat plate portion III disposed beneath member I02 andformed with opening through which the-bolts I03 pass. Extending upwardlyfrom the bottom wall IOI is a curved bent back portion ll3 from whichextends rearwardly a free springarm II4.

--Journalled within thebe'aring opening. I09 isa lifting crank memberII5. Lifting member I I5 comprises an axle portion I I6 passing throughthe opening I08. Extending from one end of the axle portion H6 is anoffset portion I20 from which extends a finger I2I engagedbeneathportion 95 of clamping member. When the handle I I0 is swungbackthe finger I2 I" rests on plate portion II4. When the handle H8 isswung forwardly the finger I2I engages the arm .94 and raises the outerclamping member I00, which in turn raises the clamping member 33.

:Fixed to theaxle IIB is aztransverse pin I22 comprisingone pin-portionl2 aizprojectinmin one direction and anotherpin'i portion:l24z;projectingin .a diametrically;opposite:- direction. When the handle.II8.-is swung in .a:clockwise direction,

byengagementof the; pin I24 with a fixedpin;

I25, projecting from the block IIlIi. q

--;The operation of the device for foldingazshi'rt will now. bedescribed. The handle H0 is firstswung' backwardly, the-inner andouter.clamp-. ing'members arev swungupwardlyjthe metal fold.'-. ing leaf4011s swung downwardly againstithe table, clamping members 52, I33v are:raised, the shirt S to be folded is laiddown on thedevice in theposition shown in Fig, 15. The top buttonof'the shirt should befastened.The shirt'is laid down face downwardly with the collar aligned -witlratransverse line I30 marked on :the top of fithe. folding leaf 40, about8" from the loweredge '42. It" will be noted that the outerend of thetongue II crosses the line I30, when the clamp ism swung down. The.sleevesof the shirt S extent out wardly and'mayhang'over the sides ofthe table II. The clamping member 63,363 is then: swung. downwardly sothatfthe outer end of the tongue- II clamps the collar against .themetal foldingleaf 40. The outer clamping'member' I00 is thenswungdownwardly so thatthe'out'er ends of the: arms 93, 94 press against theshoulder portions of the'shirt. 1 Atthe same time arm 98-will snapbeneath the latch toretain' the outer clamp-.

ing member clamped against the shirt.

The distance betweenthe axes of the arms=32 of the inner clamping memberis about 13" These arms are'disposed on opposite sides of. the metalfolding leaf 40 andarespacedtherefrom.

The distance between the axesof the outeriarms 93, 94 is about 13%" sothat the outer end's of thearm's 93, 94 lie substantiallyin spacedparal-; lel relationship to the portions 32 of the; arms 29. when boththe clamping-members are down,

fA' flat board B. of usual construction is-then laid on .top of theshirt-.w'iththe ends of one 1ongitudinaledge substantially contactingthelouter I ends 'of the'arms 93, 94 as shown in Fig. 1510f.

the drawing. -It will be :noted thatthe board-B is centered on the shirtand that the board isplaoed transversely of the shirt-instead oflengthwise. The side'portions of the shirtand the sleeves are thenfolded-inwardly around the end edges of the board Band; around the arms93, 94. It will be;

notedth'at thearms 93,. 94 are located substantially at the ends ofthe'board B. The position; of the shirt with the sides and sleevesiolded in Now the whole shirt isfolded on the cardboard.

makinga package of about 8" x 14". The handle I.I8'is then swungforwardly to lift the outer v and inner cl'amps together with the foldedshirt;..

and together with the-leaf. The clamps are-only raised about 1 1 'Igiving: sufilcient'room beneath the: shirt to Fpemiitaithez operator'Tto. lgplec'eethe usual paper bands. I3I about the folded shirt andshirt board. The raised position of the clamps and shirt is shown inFig. 17. After the bands I3I are applied the entire folded shirt may beslipped off the folding leaf and clamps. The inner and outer clamps maythen be raised together, and as that is done the arm 98 will bypass thelatch 85 permitting the folding leaf 40 to drop again on to the table II. The handle II8 will then be snapped back by the spring I I4. Theclamps 52, 63 may then be raised and the board is in a position toreceive the next shirt.

If desired, instead of placing bands I3I on the shirt, a paper bag I32may be slipped on to the shirt when the shirt is on the raised clampsand folding leaf. The bag may have a transparent front panel I33 and isopen at one longitudinal edge to receive the folded shirt. The bagtogether with the shirt may then be easily slipped oif the clamps andfolding leaf.

It will now be understood that the device embodying the invention may beapplied to the usual folding table I35 now in use. Such usual foldingtable is provided with a folding leaf 40 and with clamps 52, 63. Theusual folding table I36 has a rearwardly and upwardly inclined uppersurface I36. To adapt the folding table for folding shirts in the mannerdisclosed herein, the plate I2 together with the inner and outerclamping members and with the clamp lifting mechanism may be attached tothe top surface I36. The latch member may then be attached to thefolding leaf and the device is ready for use.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adaptedto meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged to thetable, aclamp hinged to the table and adapted to be resiliently pressedagainst the top of the leaf, an inner clamping member pivoted to thetable and having a pair of clamping arms disposed on opposite sides ofthe leaf, an outer clamping member pivoted to the table and having apair of arms disposed on the outer sides of the arms of the innerclamping member, and means to latch the outer clamping member to theleaf, said latching means comprising a latch on the leaf and an armattached to one of the arms of the outer clamping member and engagingbeneath one of the arms of the inner clamping member and adapted to beengaged by the latch on the leaf.

2. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged to thetable, a clamp hinged to the table and adapted to be resiliently pressedagainst the top of the leaf, an inner clamping member pivoted to thetable and having a pair of clamping arms disposed on opposite sides ofthe leaf, an outer clamping member pivoted to the table and having apair of arms disposed on the outer sides of the arms of the innerclamping member, and means to latch the outer clamping member to theleaf, said latching means comprising a latch on the leafand an armattached to one of the arms of the outer clamping member and engagingbeneath one of the arms of the inner clamping member and adapted to beengaged by the latch on the leaf, and means to raise the outer clampingmember whereby to raise the inner clamping member therewith.

3. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged theretoabout its upper edge, a spring clamp pivoted to the table and adapted toclamp the collar of a shirt against said folding leaf, an inner clampingmember comprising a transverse portion, and a pair of arms fixed to saidtransverse portion, means to mount said transverse portion for rotation,an outer clamping member comprising a transverse portion and a pair ofarms extending therefrom, means to mountthe last named transverseportion for rotation, the arms of said outer clamping member beingdisposed at the outer sides of the arms of the inner clamping member, aspring latch on the leaf, and a member fixed to one of the arms of theouter clamping member and adapted to engage the latch and being disposedbeneath an arm of the inner clamping member.

4. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged theretoabout its upper edge, a spring clamp pivoted to the table and adapted toclamp the collar of a shirt against said folding leaf, an inner clampingmember comprising a transverse portion, and a pair of arms fixed to saidtransverse portion, means to mount said transverse portion for rotation,an outer clamping member comprising a transverse portion and a pair ofarms extending therefrom, means to mount the last named transverseportion for rotation, the arms of said outer clamping member beingdisposed at the outer sides of the arms of the inner clamping member, aspring latch on the leaf, and a member fixed to one of the arms of theouter clamping member and adapted to engage the latch and being disposedbeneath an arm of the inner clamping member, a bearing block on thetable, a crank pivoted to the bearing block, a handle at one end of thecrank, and a finger at the other end of the crank adapted to engage oneof the arms of the outer clamping member for raising the latter.

5. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged theretoabout its upper edge, a spring clamp pivoted to the table and adapted toclamp the collar of a shirt against said folding leaf, an inner clampingmember comprising.

a transverse portion, and a pair of arms fixed to said transverseportion, means to mount said transverse portion for rotation, an outerclamping member comprising a transverse portion and a pair of armsextending therefrom, means to mount the last named transverse portionfor rotation, the arms of said outer clamping member being disposed atthe outer sides of the arms of the inner clamping member, a spring latchon the leaf, and a member fixed to one of the arms of the outer clampingmember and adapted to engage the latch and being disposed beneath an armof the inner clamping member, a bearing block on the table, a crankpivoted to the bearing block, a handle at one end of the crank, and afinger at the other end of the crank adapted to engage one of the armsof the outer clamping member for raising the latter, and means to limitswinging movement of the crank in one direction.

6. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged theretoabout its upper edge, a spring clamp pivotedto the table and adapted toclamp "the collar of fa shirt-against said folding leaf,

aninne'rclampingmembereomprismg' "a trans engage the .latchand being"disposed'beneath an arm of the inner clamping member,a bearing block onthe table, a-crankpivoted to the bearing block, a handle at oneend'ofthe crank, and a finger at the other end of the" crank adapted to'engageone of the arms of-the outer clamping member for raising the latter,means to limit swinging movement of the crank in one direction, andspring means to rotate said crank in an opposite direction.

7. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged theretoabout its upper edge, a spring clamp pivoted to the table and adapted toclamp the collar of a shirt against said folding leaf, an inner clampingmember comprising a transverse portion, and a pair of arms fixed to saidtransverse portion, means to mount said transverse portion for rotation,an outer clamping member comprising a transverse portion and a pair ofarms extending therefrom, means to mount the last named transverseportion for rotation, the arms of said outer clamping member beingdisposed at the outer sides of the arms of the inner clamping member, aspring latch on the leaf, and a member fixed to one of the arms of theouter clamping member and adapted to engage the latch and being disposedbeneath an arm of the inner clamping member, and means to limit upwardswinging movement of the inner clamping member.

8. A device of the character described comprising a table, a leaf hingedabout its rear end to the table and adapted to overlie the table, a pairof bearing blocks on the table and disposed rearwardly of the leaf, atube rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks and projecting beyond saidbearing blocks, a first pair of arms fixed to the ends of the tube, ashaft passing through said tube and rotatable thereon, and a second pairof arms attached to the ends of said shaft and disposed at the outersides of and alongside the first pair of arms, and means on the secondpair of arms to raise the first'pair of arms therewith, when raisingsaid second pair of arms.

9. A device of the character described comprising a table, a leaf hingedabout its rear end to the table and adapted to overlie the table, a pairof bearing blocks on the table and disposed rearwardly of the leaf, atube rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks and projecting beyond saidbearing blocks, a first pair of arms fixed to the ends of the tube, ashaft passing through said tube and rotatable thereon, a second pair ofarms attached to the ends of said shaft and disposed at the outer sidesof the first pair of arms, and means to latch one of the second pair ofarms to said leaf.

10. A device of the character described comprising a table, a leafhinged about its rear end to the table and adapted to overlie the table,a pair of bearing blocks on the table and disposed 'latch'on the leafand a membe'r'on said armof said second pair-of arms engagingbeneath oneof the arms of the first; pair of arms and en-,

gageable with said latch. I

11. A device of the character described comprising a table,-a leafhinged about its rear end to the table and adaptedto overlie the table,a pair of bearing blocks on the table and disposed rearwardly of theleaf,- a tube rotatably I mounted in the bearing blocks and'proje'ctingbeyond said bearing blocks, a first pair of arms fixed to the ends ofthe tube, a shaft passing through said tube and rotatable thereon, asecond pair of arms attached to the ends of said shaft and disposed atthe outer sides of the first pair of arms, and means to latch one of thesecond pair of arms to said leaf, said means comprising a latch on theleaf and a member on said arm of said second pair of arms engagingbeneath one of the arms of the first pair of arms and engageable withsaid latch, and means pivoted to the table for lifting one of the secondpair of arms.

12. A device of the character described comprising a table, a leafhinged about its rear end to the table and adapted to overlie the table,a pair of bearing blocks on the table and disposed rearwardly of theleaf, a tube rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks and projectingbeyond said bearing blocks, a first pair of arms fixed to the ends ofthe tube, a shaft passing through said tube and rotatable thereon, asecond pair of arms attached to the ends of said shaft and disposed atthe outer sides of and alongside the first pair of arms, said first pairof arms being swingable upwardly independently of the second pair ofarms, means on the second pair of arms to raise the first pair of armsupon raising said second pair of arms, and releasable clamping meansoverlying the leaf, and spring pressed against said leaf.

13. A device of the character described comprising a table, a leafhinged about its rear end to the table and adapted to overlie thetable,'a pair of bearing blocks on the table and disposed rearwardly ofthe leaf, a tube rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks and projectingbeyond said bearing blocks, a first pairof arms fixed to the ends of thetube, a shaft passing through said tube and rotatable thereon, a secondpair of arms attached to the ends of said shaft and disposed at theouter sides of the first pair of arms, and means to latch one of thesecond pair of arms to said leaf, said means comprising a latch on theleaf and a member on said arm of said iently press the clamp against thetop of the leaf, an inner clamping member pivoted to the table andhaving a pair of clamping arms disposed on opposite sides of the leaf,an outer clamping member pivoted to the table and having a pair of armsdisposed on the outer sides 01 the arms of the inner clamping member,said inner clamping member being swingable upwardly from the tableindependently of the outer clamping member, means on the outer clampingmember to swing the inner clamping member upwardly upon swinging saidouter clamping member upwardly, and means to latch the outer clampingmember to the leaf.

15. A shirt folding device comprising a table, a leaf hinged to the topof the table, a clamp hinged to the top of the table, means toresiliently press the clamp against the top of the leaf, an innerclamping member pivoted to the table and having a pair of clamping armsdisposed on opposite sides of the leaf, an outer clamping member pivotedto the table and having a pair REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare 01 record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cooper Nov. 21, 1944 Number

